The grand dame of Kaslo historic architecture was turned down yet again for a Parks Canada renovation grant, but the village is taking it in stride.
In the May 23 village council meeting, the council learned a third application for a renovation grant to renew the 1898 Kaslo Village Hall had been turned down by the federal agency.
The historic frame building erected at the height of the Kootenay Lake town’s heyday bears national, provincial and local historic designations.
She’s still proud but looking a little shabby around the edges.
The building is getting a boost in the form of work on the basement-floor library is already underway, with the municipal library temporarily located on the main drag in the lakeside downtown until October while a sprinkler system, new electrical, insulation and fire separations are installed. Thanks to a $202,400 grant from the Towns for Tomorrow fund and matched gas tax funds of $50,600 through UBCM, geothermal heat will keep readers cozy.
“We want to paint the exterior and start with that, and do some of the main floor renovations,” said Deputy Village Clerk Carol Hughes.
“We may need to pare it down,” she said.
At stake is a $100,000 matching fund guarantee from the Columbia Basin Trust - but the first money needs to come from another grant source, Hughes said.
“The Village Council threw in $25,000,” she said.
Currently, the plan is to tighten the bids and get more quotes.
“I’m hoping we’re ready for the next go round, because the old girl needs some paint and she would sure look great,” Hughes said.
Despite a third decline from Parks Canada, Kaslo hasn’t given up on getting the Village Hall the needed renewal to showcase the building’s proud place front and center in Kaslo history.
“We’re going to get ‘er done - that’s the town hall. It’s central to the community,” Hughes said.
In the meantime, the Village is conducting its business from the Kemball Memorial Center, the former provincial building, where it shares space with the provincial government agent.
A gala fundraiser in October is expected to help raise funds for the Village Hall, and donations are tax deductible, Hughes said.